How we movie bloggers would love to be proper film critics.
You know the ones who are so incisive and so witty and see things we plebs don't.
They are the ones who prompt awards for overrated but oh-so-clever films like Tinker Tailor and Iron Lady and snub their noses at innovative thrillers like Man On A Ledge.
Funny that on the Sunday afternoon that I watched this (I'm sorry, I'm desperately trying to catch up on my reviews) the screen was so packed, I was forced to occupy the disabled seat.
I think the good old British public got it right. I may not have had a perfect vantage position but I was still thoroughly enraptured by Asger Leth's feature debut.
In it, Sam Worthington plays a former copy who has been jailed for 25 years for stealing a diamond belonging to a New York property developer (Ed Harris). He pledges his innocence and is determined to prove it.
However, he escapes, after fighting with his brother (Jamie Bell) at his father's funeral.
The next thing we know he winds up on the ledge of a hotel opposite the property developer's headquarters.
Why is he there? Well, to tell you would be to introduce a giant spoiler but I will go so far as saying Elizabeth Banks plays the negotiator who tries to talk him down.
Man On A Ledge is a clever caper with twists by the bagful and close-to-the-wire action scenes which are more tense than the recent Mission Impossible despite having nowhere near the budget.
Worthington is convincing in his nothing-to-lose role and receives admirable support from the ballsy Banks and the athletic Bell.
Harris is every bit as evil as fans would expect.
So, ignore the critics who have failed to trumpet Man On A Ledge. The best recommendation I can give it is to say I have convinced Mrs W, who didn't go on Sunday, to go on her own tonight.
Laughs: none
Jumps: two good ones.
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 8.5/10
0 Comments